How to Spend THREE DAYS in Athens: 3-Day Itinerary

Ready to spend an epic three days in Athens? Well, you will be after reading this blog post! 

Athens is an incredible city where ancient history meets modern life. To be honest, I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did, but it really blew me away.

I traveled to Athens to test out and perfect this itinerary, so you can be sure that this guide is based on real experience. I had the most wonderful few days and managed to see all the highlights without rushing around, so stay tuned to make the most of every moment in Athens!

Itinerary Overview

This tried-and-tested itinerary will help you to see the best of Athens in three days, while still leaving enough time to enjoy the city rather than just rushing around ticking off sights. I visited all of Athens’ most famous ancient sites, but I also had time to experience the city beyond the ruins, with time to enjoy the energy of vibrant neighborhoods like Psyri and Plaka, and eat lots of delicious Greek food. 

Before you go, I recommend downloading the Hellenic Heritage app. It’s free and gives you access to audio tours for lots of historic sites in Athens. Just remember to bring your own headphones! It also works across Greece, which is useful if you’re heading elsewhere after Athens.

• Day 1: Visit Athens’ most iconic ancient sites on this half-day Acropolis tour before lunch, with a view and a more relaxed afternoon of sightseeing. Then, we’ll wrap up the day with drinks at a beautiful rooftop and a dinner at a traditional taverna!

• Day 2: Head up Lycabettus Hill for panoramic city views before watching the Changing of the Guards and checking out some more ancient sites. Then later on, we’re off to the Temple of Poseidon on this unforgettable sunset tour.

• Day 3: Eat your way around Athens on this food tour, or escape the city to the Greek islands on a sailing trip, before returning to Athens for one final dinner (and maybe some dancing!) in the atmospheric Plaka neighborhood.

getting around Athens

Athens is a very walkable city, so the main way that I got around was on foot! However, I did use the Freenow App to get from the airport to my hotel, and whenever I needed to hop in a taxi. It was fast and reliable, and the app sets rates to ensure you won’t get ripped off.

As for public transport, Athens has an extensive bus and subway system. My favorite thing about this is that it uses contactless payment, so rather than faffing around trying to buy tickets or register for and pre-load a card, all you need to do is tap your phone and card. The CityMapper app is super easy to use, and it will help you find the most efficient routes.

Day 1

Breakfast – Coffee Joint

Coffee Joint is a super welcoming, family-run cafe, and it’s the ideal spot for a quick breakfast this morning. It’s just a 5-minute walk from the tour meeting point, and they open early, so you’ll be able to grab something before your meeting time.

I grabbed a black coffee and a cinnamon roll before my tour, and the owners gave me a free bottle of water to take with me, which is definitely something you’ll need when exploring the Acropolis. They were also squeezing oranges right there to make fresh juice. I noticed that a lot of people had written notes and stuck them on the wall, often on the backs of dollar bills, which I thought was a really cute idea.

Morning – Visit the Acropolis, Parthenon, museum, and more 

As Europe’s oldest capital city, Athens is filled to the brim with fascinating history, so starting your trip with a guided Acropolis tour is a no-brainer. I booked this half-day tour for 9 am and had to get to the ticket office at 8:20 am so it was an early start, but it was definitely worth it!

Our guide was an archaeologist who had studied for 10 years, so she really knew her stuff. I learned so much on this tour, from the fact that Athens was once a city-state to the rivalry between Athens and Sparta. We also saw the ruins of what was once the first hospital and healing center in Athens, which I thought was really interesting.

As we made our way up the hill, we got amazing views over the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, which is absolutely beautiful, and the Erechtheion, with its famous Caryatids. We also learned that it took just 8 years to build the Parthenon, but its restoration has been going on for over 50 years and is still in progress today! 

I loved exploring the Acropolis, but the museum was amazing, too. One of the best exhibits showed the evolution of statues in Ancient Greece, although the Lego model of the Acropolis was pretty fun to see. After the tour ends, you can also go down to the basement and see the ancient ruins beneath the museum that they discovered when clearing the ground for the building.

This tour is really the only way to kick off your time in Athens, as exploring the Acropolis is the most iconic thing to do here. And don’t just take my word for it, because you can read thousands of 5-star reviews here!

Related Read: If the above tour is booked up, don’t worry! Have a look at some of our other favorite Acropolis tours here!

Lunch – Traditional Food Diodos 

By the time the Acropolis tour ended, it was around 1:45 pm, and my cinnamon roll felt like it was a long time ago! So from the museum, I took a scenic stroll through the Plaka neighborhood to reach today’s lunch spot: Traditional Food Diodos!

The main appeal of this restaurant is its location opposite the Ancient Agora of Athens and its excellent views of the Temple of Hephaestus, one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in the city. And as if that weren’t enough, I could also see the Acropolis right above it all, so the view really couldn’t have been better.

I was super hungry after the tour, so I ordered halloumi bites and a big Greek salad, both of which were delicious. The service was super friendly, and the waiter even gave me a free dessert. It was galatopia, a crustless milk custard pie I had never tried before, and the perfect sweet treat to finish the meal.

Afternoon – Explore on your own

Athens’ historic center is packed with fascinating sights, so after lunch, I recommend taking the afternoon to explore at your own pace. After a busy morning at the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, I was definitely ready for a leisurely wander rather than another intense sightseeing session, so take this at your own pace.

You’ll also probably want to head back to your hotel before sunset drinks and dinner for a bit of time to relax and freshen up.

Here are a couple of standout spots close to the restaurant that you can easily tick off this afternoon:

Ancient Agora of Athens

First up, it’s worth noting that the Ancient Agora and the Roman Agora are not the same thing. People (myself included) often get confused at first because their names are similar and the two sites are right next to each other, but they’re separate sites that require their own entry tickets. 

The Ancient Agora was the main gathering place in ancient Athens, and it was once the center of the city’s political, social, and commercial life. It’s also home to the beautiful Temple of Hephaestus. 

Entry costs €20 during the summer, and you can use the Hellenic Heritage app I mentioned earlier to listen to an audio tour as you explore, but if you’re all historied-out by now, you can always save this one for later in the itinerary or just admire it from the outside. I had an awesome view from Diodos restaurant!

The Roman Forum of Athens (Roman Agora)

The Roman Forum of Athens was the commercial heart of Athens during the Roman era, and today you can still see columns, ruins, and ancient remains from the street.

It closes at 3 pm, so if you’re following this exact itinerary, you probably won’t have loads of time to go inside without rushing. However, if you’re not fussed about doing a deep dive into its history, you can actually see quite a lot of it as you stroll along Adrianou Street, where our lunch spot is. And if you’re a big history lover, you could always come back on day three, as it’s close to Plaka, where we’ll be spending a relaxed final afternoon and evening.

Hadrian’s Library

Hadrian’s Library is also just a few minutes’ walk from Diodos, and this is another spot that’s worth passing by. Again, you can go inside if you’re really keen, but you can see a lot of it from the outside, too.

After spending the morning deep-diving into ancient history, I was pretty happy just admiring it as I wandered past! But if you’re a real history buff or you’ve still got lots of energy, then it’s definitely worth considering. Entry costs €6 during the summer months.

Kerameikos Cemetery

I had also planned to visit Kerameikos Cemetery, which is one of Athens’ most underrated ancient sites, but it was temporarily closed during my visit. I still walked down there and was able to glimpse some of it from the outside.

This ancient cemetery is often overlooked by visitors, but it’s home to tombs, ruins, and ancient graves, some of which date back thousands of years! It tends to be much quieter than Athens’ headline historic sites, so if it’s open when you visit, it could be a lovely place for a more peaceful wander.

Sunset – Rooftop drinks at Attic Urban Rooftop

Athens is well known for its amazing rooftop bars, so after a jam-packed first day in Athens, it’s time to grab a drink at one of them! I went to Attic Urban Rooftop in Monastiraki Square, and it was absolutely gorgeous. There’s an outdoor terrace, but the indoor section has floor-to-ceiling windows, so you’ll get an epic view of the Acropolis either way. 

I definitely recommend making a reservation here about an hour before sunset. I got lucky as I snagged a table just before a huge queue formed. In fact, when I left to go to dinner, people were queuing all the way down the stairs! 

The cocktails here are super artistic. I went for their signature Creado drink, which arrived with a big bubble on top, and once it popped, the drink smoked!

Dinner – Efcharis Restaurant

After watching the sunset at Attic, it was just a 3-minute walk to Efcharis Restaurant. It’s a lively, family-friendly spot that serves homestyle Greek dishes at reasonable prices. I wanted to try a bit of everything, so I ordered bread and a huge plate of dips, which definitely could have served at least two people!

When I asked for the bill, the waiter brought me a complimentary piece of ravani sponge cake, and there were also several ice cream and waffle spots just further down the street if you fancy a final sweet treat to wrap up the evening.

Related Read: Have more time in Athens? Check out these epic trips to Meteora. Visiting here was a highlight of our last trip to Greece!

Day 2

Morning –  Go to the top of Lycabettus Hill

Lycabettus Hill is the highest point in central Athens, and the views from up here are spectacular. It’s also easy to get up and down, so don’t worry, no big hike necessary!

We’ll be having breakfast on the hill, so don’t worry about grabbing food before you go. Grab a taxi to the funicular station somewhere between 9 and 10 am. We’re not rushing around this morning, so timing is flexible. 

If you want to take the funicular to the top, it costs €13 for a return trip or €10 for a one-way ticket. The cable car runs every 30 minutes, although this increases to every 10 minutes during the busiest months. 

However, I do recommend walking up if you can! The start of the walking path is at the end of Aristippou Street, just a 2-minute walk from the cable car station. The climb up was also a lot easier than I expected. It was quite steep, but the path was well-maintained and easy to follow, and it only took me 10 minutes to get to the top. 

The views are beautiful the entire way up, and even better at the top! There’s also a small church and plenty of space to enjoy the views and snap photos. Best of all, there were a couple of resident cats hanging around! I probably spent about 15 minutes up here before heading back down for breakfast.

Breakfast – Prasini Tetna

I had originally planned to have breakfast at the restaurant on top of Lycabettus Hill, but when I walked past Prasini Tetna on the way up, I realized it offers a better view, since it faces the Acropolis. So when you’re ready, start walking back down the hill to the cafe for a well-earned breakfast. And no worries if you’re taking the funicular down because the cafe is very close to the start of the walking path, so it’s easy to get there afterward.

I had a delicious Greek yogurt bowl and a strong espresso here, which was the perfect way to start the day. All in all, I’d allow around 1-1.5 hours for Lycabettus Hill and breakfast, but as I say, we’re not in a rush this morning!

Mid-morning – Changing of the Guards and the National Garden

After you’ve taken in the views from Lycabettus Hill and had breakfast, head down towards the National Gardens. It’s an easy 10-minute walk through the fancy Kolonaki neighborhood, and the gardens are nice and shady once you arrive! 

I took some time here to just wander along the paths and enjoy the calm atmosphere. Then, as it grew close to the hour, I headed over to the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, which is right next to the gardens and directly opposite Sygmata Square.

This is where the Changing of the Guards happens every hour, on the hour, and it’s a very interesting tradition to watch. The Evzones wear very unique uniforms, and their movements are incredibly precise and slow. The guards aren’t allowed to move at all outside of their practiced ritual movements, so another soldier comes over to wipe their sweat and hold a cup of water to their mouths, which was quite funny to see!

And if you’re visiting on a weekend, try to be here for 11 am, as there’s a bigger ceremony than the standard hourly one. In that case, I’d recommend getting to the base of Lycabettus Hill by 9 am at the latest, so you’ve got time to enjoy the views and have some breakfast, and still make it to the ceremony on time.

Lunch – Iliadia

After watching the Changing of the Guards, I headed toward Hadrian’s Arch, and I found Iliadia on my way there. It’s a friendly street spot that offers generous portions of gyros, and they’ve got outdoor seating. There are different types of meat gyros and souvlaki on the menu, as well as vegetarian options like falafel, so there’s something for everyone here. I had a chicken gyro, and it was absolutely delicious!

Afternoon – See more ancient sights

After a hearty souvlaki lunch, it’s time for some more independent sightseeing. All of these fascinating historical sites are within walking distance of each other, so you can easily explore them all in one afternoon.

Hadrian’s Gate

From Iliadia, it’s a 7-minute walk to Hadrian’s Arch. This is a triumphal Roman arch believed to have been built to celebrate the arrival of Emperor Hadrian, marking the border between the classical city of Athens and the newer Roman part of the city. It’s a quick stop, but its historical significance definitely makes it worthy of a visit!

The Temple of Olympian Zeus

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is one of Athens’ most famous ancient landmarks. It was once one of the largest temples in the ancient world, and it took a whopping 650 years to build – crazy, right?

However, only a small portion of the Temple remains, and I only think it’s worth going inside if you’re super into ancient history. Entry costs €20, which does feel quite steep for what you get. I went in, and I’m glad I saw it properly, but you can also see a decent amount from outside if you’d rather make this a quick stop. 

If you do decide to enter, you can skip the ticket queue by scanning the QR code outside and buying an e-ticket on your phone. Once you’re inside, you can listen to the free audio tour on the Hellenic Heritage app – just make sure you’ve got your own headphones with you!

Panathenaic Stadium

From the Temple of Zeus, it’s a 15-minute walk to Panathenaic Stadium, and this time, I definitely recommend going inside! Entry costs €12, which I thought was well worth it to explore this huge stadium. It was originally built in the 4th century BC and later reconstructed for the 1896 Olympics, the first iteration of the modern games. Not only is it super historic, but it’s also the only stadium in the world made entirely of marble!

This was actually my favorite ancient site in Athens. I loved wandering around and climbing the stadium steps, which give you an amazing view over the whole place and really help you appreciate just how big it is.

Evening – Sunset tour to Temple of Poseidon

We’ve got something really special planned this evening: a sunset tour to the legendary Temple of Poseidon! It’s truly one of the most incredible sunsets I’ve ever seen, so don’t miss it. 

The sunset tour option includes pickup between 2:30 and 4 pm, depending on the time of year. You’ll be picked up from your hotel if you’re staying in central Athens, so after exploring the ancient sites, head back to grab swimwear, a beach towel, and a light layer for later on, as it gets pretty chilly close to sunset.

Our first stop was the beautiful Lake Vouliagmeni, where we had around 10 minutes to take photos and break up the drive. Next, we stopped in the pretty seaside town of Anavyssos for dinner on the beach and a swim. There were good facilities for drying off and changing, so if you want to take a dip, go for it! 

Then it was time for the main event: Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon. This ancient temple was dedicated to the god of the sea, and it sits on a cliff overlooking the Aegean. It’s one of the most dramatic ancient sites I visited in Greece, and the setting is just incredible.

We had just over an hour at the temple, which was enough time to walk around, take photos, and see every stage of the sunset. It was so beautiful that it almost didn’t feel real, and I’m not surprised in the slightest that this tour has over 2,700 5-star reviews!

Day 3

Option 1: Stay in the city

Morning – Eat all the Greek food on a walking food tour

Ok, I don’t know about you, but Greek food is one of my favorite cuisines. So obviously, I couldn’t wait to do this Athens food tour!

I booked this tour for 9 am, so we started off with breakfast! I met my group and our amazing guide, Tonia, in Monastiraki Square, and from there we headed to a few local bakeries to grab some koulouri (Greek sesame bread rings) and bougatsa (flaky pastry parcels). The bougatsa in particular was unbelievably good, especially the one with a honey and feta filling.

Next, we visited an old-school bakery for loukoumades, which are Greek doughnuts. This place has been serving baked goods for over 200 years, and we even got to go into the kitchen to watch the loukoumades being prepared. 

We visited the Municipal Market, and then it was time for some traditional Greek coffee, which ended up being one of the most interesting parts of the tour. We watched our coffee being prepared over a bed of hot sand, and then Tonia taught us how to drink the unfiltered coffee properly so that we didn’t end up with a mouthful of grounds.

Then, we went to a traditional restaurant for a sit-down meal served family-style. We tried meatballs, Greek salad, anchovies, grilled sardines, olives, grilled aubergines, giant beans, ouzo, and local wine. And as if all of that weren’t enough, we finished the tour with souvlaki skewers!

I also have to give a proper shoutout to Tonia, who was such a sweet and energetic guide. She knew I was traveling solo and really made sure I felt welcome in the group, which I really appreciated. I’m not at all surprised that this tour has 5,000+ 5-star reviews!

Quick note: this tour doesn’t run on Sundays, so if that’s how your third day in Athens falls, you can easily swap days 2 and 3 around!

Afternoon – Visit the National Archaeological Museum 

It’s about a 25-minute walk from where the food tour ends to the National Archaeological Museum. I was absolutely stuffed after the food tour and wanted to walk it off a bit, but you can also grab a taxi if you’d rather save your legs.

However you get there, the National Archaeological Museum is a must-visit if you’re interested in ancient Greek history and culture. I bought my ticket on the day for €20, and there was a QR code outside, so I didn’t have to queue.

This is one of the largest museums in Greece, and it’s home to a huge collection of artifacts from different Greek islands and eras. There are well-explained descriptions in both English and Greek, so it’s easy to follow along as you explore.

Personally, I was most interested in the funerary monuments. I found it really fascinating to learn about the differences between graves for men, women, and children in the 5th century BC. For example, direct references to the cause of death were usually removed, except for men who died in war, women who died in childbirth, and foreigners.

Just bear in mind that this museum does involve a lot of time on your feet, especially after a food tour! There are chairs throughout the museum if you need a rest between rooms, and there’s also a cafe with a nice outdoor area where you can grab a coffee afterward.

I’d allow at least an hour for the museum, but probably closer to 2 hours if you’re really into your history.

Evening – Explore Plaka

For the late afternoon and evening, I recommend spending some time exploring Athens’ prettiest and most traditional neighborhood: Plaka! It’s the perfect place to unwind and celebrate the end of your trip, but do bear in mind that you can also use this time to check off any sights you’ve missed so far. Many of them are just a 10-15 minute walk from Plaka anyway!

As for what to get up to in Plaka, here’s what I recommend:

Discover Anafiotika

Right on the upper slopes of Plaka sits Anafiotika, a tiny neighborhood that’s built in the style of a Cycladic village. It’s like a little piece of Santorini right here in Athens!

Plaka is always bustling, but as you head up the steps to Anafiotika, it gets a lot quieter. It’s hidden away, so a lot of people miss it! I spent some time exploring the narrow, picturesque streets, and I even stumbled upon a viewpoint that offered sweeping views of Athens and Lycabettus Hill. You don’t need very long to check this neighborhood out, but it’s definitely worth doing.

Take advantage of happy hour deals

Plaka is pretty touristy, which means a lot of the bars offer pretty generous happy hours! I saw some spots offering beers for less than €3 per pint, or local wine for a similar price. There were tons of al fresco spots around Filomousou Eterias Square in particular.

Taste ouzo at Brettos Bar

I heard Brettos Bar was recommended quite a few times while I was in Athens, so I decided to go check it out on my final evening here. It’s an old-school bar serving a lot of traditional Greek spirits, including ouzo, but they have tons of flavored liqueurs too, ranging from kiwi to kumquat, as well as local wine and craft cocktails. The staff were super friendly, and I loved how the walls were decorated with hundreds of colorful bottles. 

Go shopping

Plaka is also one of the best places in Athens to do some shopping, especially if you’re looking for souvenirs and clothing. I saw so many places selling gorgeous leather sandals and light linen shirts, which are just what you need if you’re heading to the islands next! There are also plenty of shops selling treats like local olives, nuts, and honey, too. Honestly, I could have spent a small fortune here.

Related Read: If you’re continuing your travels in Greece after Athens, make sure you check out our 18 favorite things to do in the entire country here!

Dinner – Geros Tou Maria Restaurant

Your last evening in Athens deserves a special celebration, so head to Geros Tou Moria for dinner. It’s a traditional Greek restaurant set about halfway up the atmospheric Mnisikleous Stairs in Plaka, and it’s known for traditional dancing! 

Now, full disclosure, I wasn’t actually able to eat here myself because I didn’t book a table, so learn from my mistakes and make a reservation here. However, I sat at the restaurant behind and was still able to watch some of the fun unfold. The dancing started at around 8:30 pm, so I suggest booking a table for about 7:30 pm so that you have time to enjoy your meal first. I really do wish I had booked a table because the atmosphere looked amazing!

I ended up going to Palio Tetradio, the restaurant just behind Geros Tou Moria. It wasn’t quite as special, but I could still sit outside on the steps and enjoy the atmosphere. Still, I strongly recommend booking Geros Tou Moria instead!

Option 2: Full-day cruise to Agistri, Moni, Aegina

The other option for your third day in Athens is to enjoy this full-day sailing cruise to the Saronic Islands. I’d especially recommend this if you’re not heading on to the Greek islands after Athens, as it gives you a taste of island hopping without needing to plan a whole separate ferry trip.

This cruise is a popular one, and it often sells out, so if spending the day on a Greek sailing boat sounds like your idea of heaven, I’d book it in advance. There’s free cancellation, which makes it easy to secure your spot early and adjust your plans later if needed.

On this day trip, you’ll leave the city behind and sail out to the Saronic Islands, which are some of the easiest islands to visit from Athens. The cruise usually includes stops at Agistri, Moni Island, and Aegina, so you get to see a few different places in one day. Food is taken care of too, with pastries in the morning and a generous buffet lunch served on board.

At Agistri, you’ll usually have time to explore the villages, relax by the water, or join an optional bike tour. Then at Moni Island, there’s typically time for lunch and swimming before continuing to Aegina, which is known for its beaches, clear water, and pistachios.

This would be a really fun way to spend your final day in Athens if you want a coastal escape after two days of ancient sites, museums, and city exploring – and thousands of glowing reviews certainly attest to that. Just don’t forget sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel!

Related Read: For more of our all-time favorite experiences in the city, check out our top activities in Athens guide!

Where to Stay in Athens

With only three days in the city, you want to make sure you have a great place to stay in Athens. There are a ton of different areas, but I was keen on being close to the historic sights! Plus, when there are dozens of hotels with views of the Acropolis from your room, how could you pass that up?

Below, I’ve listed three awesome accommodation options for every budget so you can have a comfortable stay in Athens. 

Luxury – $$$

If you’re looking for a luxury stay, Electra Metropolis is the best option. Located in central Athens, you’re meters from the top city and historic sights. The hotel provides the finest quality, from the rooftop infinity pool to its atrium and fresh food restaurants. You can expect the same high-class luxuries in the rooms, whether you have a classic double room or an Acropolis view suite. 

Standard rooms get as low as €250, but high-end suites can reach €700+. Check availability and reserve this stay on Booking.com.

Mid-range – $$

You don’t have to break the bank to get stunning views from your bed! The Elia Ermou Athens Hotel is a moderately priced option with modern and comfortable rooms and a fantastic location. You can see the famous Acropolis from some rooms and from the restaurant, and you’re within walking distance to all of Athens main attractions. 

Room prices range from about €160 to €400 and can be booked on Booking.com.

Budget – $

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly stay that still feels fun and central, YellowSquare Athens is a great choice. I stayed here in a private room, which was clean and comfortable, with great AC. I also loved the surrounding Psyri neighborhood, as there were tons of cool restaurants nearby, and I was only a short walk from Monastiraki Square and Plaka.

YellowSquare has a social feel without being a full-on party hostel, and there were people of all ages staying here. There’s a big lounge downstairs with beanbags, a co-working space, a yoga/workout studio, but the best part was definitely the rooftop bar, which had amazing views of the Acropolis! 

Dorm beds start from around €25 per night, and private rooms start from €100. Book your stay here!

Related Read: For a full breakdown of the best areas and hotels in Athens, check out our detailed Where to Stay guide here!

Thanks for reading!

With so much to see, only having three days in Athens is a challenge, but I hope this itinerary helps! I followed this almost exactly on my last trip here and thought it covered all the highlights and hit some favorite local spots. I think you’ll love Athens as much as I do!

Before you book your plane tickets, check out our other Greece blogs! From tour recommendations to travel guides on the best Greek islands, we can help you plan the trip of a lifetime. Here are a few extra blogs you might find useful!

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